Hello Everyone,

It is no surprise that familiarity with the testing experience is one of the strongest foundations for reducing stress and building confidence.

At Wattle Park Primary, we believe that practice makes us familiar. This means:

• Giving students opportunities to experience test-style questions in class;
• Supporting them to navigate the structure, time expectations and language of these assessments; and
• Helping them to focus on their learning growth rather than the pressure of an unknown event.

By intentionally integrating this kind of practice into the school routine, we aim to nurture resilience, reduce test-related anxiety and empower every child to perform at their best in a setting that feels known rather than intimidating.

NAPLAN Practice - Excel Test Zone
Excel Test Zone – is an online platform that provides NAPLAN-style practice tests across all areas of the assessment: numeracy, reading, writing and conventions of language.

These practice tests simulate real test conditions, helping students practise managing their time, navigating the online format and building confidence around question types and formats they’ll see in the actual NAPLAN assessments.

WPPS has purchased this program so students from years 2 - 6  can practice in this online test environment.

These details have been provided to you via your classroom teacher so your child may also have the opportunity to complete this practice as part of homework. Please email your teacher if you have not received these details.

These tests are just one element of our wider curriculum and assessment program. Your child’s learning journey is supported every day in class through great teaching, engaging learning opportunities and ongoing teacher assessment that captures effort as much as achievement.

For more information about NAPLAN go HERE.

NAPLAN also provides its own online practice environment: Click on the following link to practise.

• NAPLAN public demonstration site

Login details are not required to access the site.

Class Representatives – Thank You!
Thank you to the many parents and carers who have already signed up to be a WPPS Class Representative — we are delighted that more than half of the positions have already been filled. Your willingness to support communication and strengthen connections within your child’s class is greatly appreciated.

The Class Representative plays an important role in supporting our school community by:

✨ Sharing Information: Forwarding messages from the school and/or class website, along with key notices, to your class WhatsApp group to ensure families stay informed about important dates, events and opportunities.

✨ Supporting the Year Level/Teacher: Assisting teachers by distributing relevant class-level information and reminders throughout the year.

✨ Welcoming Families: Being a friendly and approachable point of contact, particularly for new families joining the class.

✨ Facilitating Community: Encouraging positive connections among families — helping to build friendships, organise social opportunities (where appropriate), and nurture a strong sense of belonging.

If you are still considering the role (as a representative or co-representative), please let your class teacher know by Friday 13th February. We would love to complete our team and continue strengthening our vibrant WPPS community together.

If you are interested in being your class’s representative (or co-representative), please let your class teacher know ASAP   — we’d love to have you join this valued group.

Our Students
Students of the Week!
As a result of our recent School Review, as well as the work we are doing with our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program, our school values changed last year from six:

Respect, Responsibility, Care, Encourage, Value and Challenge

to the ‘Three R’s’;           Respect • Responsibility • Resilience

Congratulations to all of our students who have displayed these values this week

House Points
The House Points have been collected for this week.  The winning house decorates the trophy with their colours and has it displayed in the foyer of the school. 

Class of the Week Awards - Performing Arts

Congratulations to:

Foundation

who were awarded ‘Class of the Week’ for their exemplary behaviour in Performing Arts.

Our Staff
Our series on our staff has proved very popular over the years. Our new foundation students' parents may be interested to know a little more about Ms Downes.

Hello Wattle Park Community! Allow me to introduce myself.

I have been part of our school family for so long that it could be said that I am part of the furniture. In fact, I am pretty sure that the only person who has been here longer than myself is Ms Antonino, our wonderful 3A on Monday’s teacher. 

When I first arrived for my first day at WPPS (all the way back in the last century!) I was very pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a beaming and welcoming Annmaria as we actually went to university together and shared the same majors. Since that day I have made many lifelong friends through our great school and have so many happy and fulfilling memories that have enriched my life both professionally and personally.

Wattle Park was school number four for me. My first year of teaching was at Thorpdale Primary, in potato country, followed by Epping and Merrilands. During those early years I mainly taught in the Year 5/6 area and my first grade at WPPS was a 5/6 composite. After a few years I made the move down to Prep (as it was called in those days) which was a huge change from the upper school kids, but one that I loved (after the initial shock).

In December of 1998 I began a new phase of my life when my husband, Rick, and I welcomed our first little ray of sunshine, Allie, followed two years later with the arrival of Emily. I spent a number of years away from teaching, raising our family, which I adored. During this time, I sat on committees for our local kindergarten and primary school and volunteered 2-3 days a week for the literacy program when my kids were young.

Our former Principal, Nick Farley (I have seen four Wattle Park Principals so far), finally convinced me to return to teaching when my youngest was in Grade 1. I took over from Julie Gledhill who was about to go on Family Leave in the role of part time Phys Ed teacher. I have had a lifelong love affair with sport, so this job seemed absolutely perfect for me. I have played many sports competitively over the years including basketball, netball, equestrian and squash and I still drag this, shall we say mature, body around the tennis court. My other passions include reading, travel, eating out with friends and of course the beach – my happy place.

This year I am excited to be sharing my experience with the gorgeous families in 1/2 A.

Mel Downes.

Notices
Assembly
Fridays at 9.15am - this coming week - 

Make a Splash with the Wattle Park Primary School Swimming Cap! ?‍

We are proud to introduce the new Wattle Park Primary School Swimming Cap, specially designed by our talented 2025 Year 6 students! This unique cap is a fantastic way for students to show their connection and pride in the Wattle Park Primary School community.

Wearing the WPPS swimming cap helps students:

✔️ Be easily identified as part of our school community in the water

✔️ Feel a strong sense of belonging and team spirit at swimming carnivals

✔️ Celebrate a student-designed piece created by our very own Year 6 leaders

Available now for just $15 from the WPPS School Office

2026 Movie Night
The annual WPPS Movie Night is back!

SAVE THE DATE
Friday 20 March, gates open 6pm
Movie – Elio

Please join us for some family fun, under the stars!
Further details and ticket info will be released shortly.

We hope to see you all there!
WPPS PFA

Running Club is back up and running!

Parents volunteer every:

Thursday 8am - 8:40am 

and play games with students who choose to come to the running club. 

Running club is completely free and you will also receive a running club t-shirt which you can wear in school hours. Running club is super fun and you can do it at any age Foundation - Year 6.

Please be aware that students participating in this activity are in the care of the parents who run the activity, not in the care of WPPS staff, until 8.45am. 

2026 WPPS Annual Permission Form on COMPASS

The WPPS Annual Permission Form has been sent out on Compass as an event. 

Please complete this if you haven’t already.

These permissions must be completed every year.  Once completed, this will cover your child for the entire year. The following permissions are addressed:

• Accident Declaration
• Permission and Authority Form for Walking Excursions
• Media Permission Internal - School Newsletter, Website
• Media Permission - WPPS Instagram
• Media Permission External - Newspaper, Television
• Head Lice Check Consent
• Health Management Plan
• Volunteering

Have a great weekend!

Steve Donohue

Principal

Wattle Park Primary School

If you are the holder of a Govt Concession Card or Health Care Card, you are eligible for Government assistance called CSEF, (Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund).

Payment amounts for eligible family this year is $400 for any school activity including camps.

Please fill out the form HERE along with a copy of your concession card, and hand into the office.

Please return completed CSEF application forms to the office by Friday 26 June 2026

If you have  any enquiries, please contact the office on 9808 2165.

2.  Second Hand Uniform Shop
Located in the school gymnasium 
Cash and Card welcome

Next Opening Time

• Thank you to all the generous families who have donated uniforms to the  Second Hand Uniform Shop.  The shop is in desperate need for dresses and larger sizes.  If you have uniform dresses no longer required, please consider donating to the Shop.  Clothing may be dropped off in the box near the office.

• Clothing must be washed and in very good condition. 
• Please bring donations to the school office.
• Thank you for supporting this initiative!

School Photo day is on Monday, 23^rd February.  Please ensure all students are in the appropriate school uniform. 

Orders are placed on line. If paying by cash, envelopes can be collected from the office, and must be given to the photographer on the day.  Sibling photos are also available at the office.   

• Newsletter
• World Wildlife Day - 3rd March